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Venerable Thubten Chodron

Venerable Chodron emphasizes the practical application of Buddha’s teachings in our daily lives and is especially skilled at explaining them in ways easily understood and practiced by Westerners. She is well known for her warm, humorous, and lucid teachings. She was ordained as a Buddhist nun in 1977 by Kyabje Ling Rinpoche in Dharamsala, India, and in 1986 she received bhikshuni (full) ordination in Taiwan. Read her full bio.

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Tibetan nun smiling.
Tibetan Tradition

Bhikshunis in Mulasarvastivada vinaya tradition?

A request to Tibetan vinaya masters to develop a system of bhikshuni ordination.

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The first frost of snow falls on a Buddha statue in the garden amidst fall foliage.
37 Practices of Bodhisattvas

37 Practices: Verses 25-28

The first four of the six perfections. Retreatants share their experiences and growth.

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Ven. Chodron, Ven. Jampa Tsedroen , Ven. Heng-Ching Shih and Ven. Lekshe Tsomo sitting and discussing on a table full of papers.
Tibetan Tradition

A means to achieve bhiksuni ordination

A request to all upholders of the vinaya traditions, to work together to find a…

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Vajrasattva statue
Vajrasattva Winter Retreat 2005-06

Remembering to take the medicine

After recognizing that we're the patients and are the ones that are suffering, we can…

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Ven. Samten, Ven. Tarpa and Ven. Jigme smiling happily.
Theravada Tradition

Ordination: Sakyadhita’s heritage from the Buddha

A look at the importance of and challenges to keeping the Bhikshuni ordination alive.

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The first frost of snow falls on a Buddha statue in the garden amidst fall foliage.
37 Practices of Bodhisattvas

37 Practices: Verses 22-24

Emptiness - how everything exists by being labeled by mind, and the way we choose…

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Vajrasattva statue
Vajrasattva Winter Retreat 2005-06

How are we different from turkeys?

Discussion with retreatants on how we are like turkeys who, through ignorance and attachment, do…

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Vajrasattva statue
Vajrasattva Winter Retreat 2005-06

What are your non-negotiables?

Retreatants discuss what they can't let go of in their lives, and come to realize…

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The first frost of snow falls on a Buddha statue in the garden amidst fall foliage.
37 Practices of Bodhisattvas

37 Practices: Verses 16-21

Humility; enemies are created by anger; learning to slowly chip away at our -o'holic mind.

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Vajrasattva statue
Vajrasattva Winter Retreat 2005-06

Once you start, never stop

Bowing to anyone who creates merit and practices good conduct; a look at what hell…

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Vajrasattva statue
Vajrasattva Winter Retreat 2005-06

Just go free-form

Taking refuge when something strange comes in the mind; how wonderful to be able to…

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The first frost of snow falls on a Buddha statue in the garden amidst fall foliage.
37 Practices of Bodhisattvas

37 Practices: Verses 10-15

Recognizing the kindness of all beings, our mothers, and taking our difficult experiences as tools…

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